The cinematic continuation of the hit television series ‘Peaky Blinders’ has proven to be a monumental triumph not just for the screen, but for the local economy of Birmingham, England. When it was initially confirmed in 2024 that the highly anticipated feature film would be shot on location in the city, expectations soared. Now, following the global release of the film in March 2026, Birmingham is experiencing an unprecedented surge in international film tourism as fans flock to walk the historic streets of Tommy Shelby.
From Industrial Roots to Silver Screen Stardom
The original news that Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy would reprise his iconic role as the Shelby family patriarch on the streets of Birmingham set the stage for a massive cultural event. Principal photography commenced in late 2024, heavily utilizing the newly established Digbeth Loc. Studios as the production base. Director Tom Harper and creator Steven Knight deliberately chose to root the movie in its authentic geographical home, transforming areas like Gas Street Basin and the Victorian brick warehouses of Digbeth High Street into a dramatic 1940s wartime landscape.
The strategy paid off immensely. The feature film, officially titled ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’, held its world premiere at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on March 2, 2026, before its global rollout on Netflix on March 20, 2026. The movie, which also introduced stars like Barry Keoghan, Tim Roth, and Rebecca Ferguson to the franchise, immediately captivated audiences worldwide. For Birmingham, this cinematic spotlight has translated directly into a massive influx of tourists eager to experience the gritty, atmospheric environment depicted in the film.
The Economic Engine of Screen Tourism
The local tourism boom is part of a documented economic phenomenon known regionally as the “Peaky Blinders effect”. Even before the movie’s production, the franchise was a primary driver for the region’s visitor economy. Pre-pandemic figures from 2018 demonstrated this impact, with the region welcoming a record 131 million visitors and generating a £12.6 billion regional spend. By 2021, despite global travel interruptions, the local visitor economy was still contributing over £6 billion to Birmingham, supporting over 57,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
With the 2026 release of the film, these economic indicators are projected to reach new heights. International travel markets, particularly tourists from the United States and Canada, have consistently cited the gangster epic as a primary cultural association with the region. Travel agencies and local tour operators have reported sharp increases in bookings for specialized walking tours and heritage site visits since the movie’s promotional campaign began late last year.
Walking the Streets of the Shelbys
Visitors to Birmingham today will find an array of immersive experiences that capitalize on the city’s cinematic legacy. Guided location tours frequently take fans through the canal networks and industrial quarters that formed the backdrop of the movie.
Just outside the city center, the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley continues to be a cornerstone of the screen tourism map. The open-air historical site, which has been utilized as a filming location since the original series premiered in 2013, served once again as a critical backdrop for the 2026 film. The museum’s specialized themed evening events consistently sell out, driving vital funding into the preservation of the region’s industrial heritage. Additionally, local businesses are thriving through association, with themed escape rooms, boutique hotels, and regional breweries offering Shelby-inspired products to international visitors.
A Lasting Legacy for the West Midlands
Looking toward the future, the successful production and release of the movie have fundamentally altered Birmingham’s trajectory as an international travel destination. By proving that the city can host and seamlessly integrate a major cinematic production, Birmingham has solidified its reputation as a premier filming location. The ongoing development of Digbeth Loc. Studios indicates that the city will not only continue to draw fans of Tommy Shelby but will also attract future blockbuster productions.
For the international traveler, Birmingham now represents a unique intersection of authentic working-class history and high-end cinematic glamour. As the cultural footprint of the franchise continues to expand through the rest of 2026 and beyond, the city’s tourism sector is predicted to see sustained, long-term growth. The decision to bring Tommy Shelby home to Birmingham for his final reckoning has ensured that the city’s tourism profile will remain immortalized for decades to come.
